Free agent Hunter suspended 50 games

NEW YORK -- Minor League free agent outfielder Cedric Hunter, who batted .294 for Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2016, was suspended 50 games on Wednesday after testing positive for a banned substance.

The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced that Hunter tested positive for an amphetamine, which is considered a stimulant in violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. The suspension begins when the 28-year-old signs with another Major League organization.

Hunter began this past season with the Phillies but was optioned to Triple-A on April 18 after going 3-for-34 (.088) with a homer, one RBI and three runs scored in 13 games. With the IronPigs, the 2006 third-round pick posted a .294/.324/.433 slash line with 10 homers and 53 RBIs in 98 games.

Amphetamines are considered a stimulant and a performance-enhancing substance under the Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. Minor Leaguers who test positive for PEDs are subject to a 50-game suspension upon their first violation.

Major League Baseball has handed out 90 suspensions to 89 players this year for violating the Minor League drug program.